“At the moment nothing is concrete yet, but I think for me this is the right moment to make the next step.”

The 40-year-old former defender had a sparkling career across Europe and is thought to prefer a move to an English side, having spoken of his admiration for the country’s football.

“A few weeks ago I told the board that it was my choice to stop. I want to take a look around, that could be in Holland or a foreign country. It is well known that English football really attracts me.”

Stam retired from playing in 2007 and in the summer will be leaving the club he started his career with 20 years ago.